Euro task force puts pressure on alcohol industry

The alcohol industry faces increased pressure to commit to proposals aimed at combating alcohol-related harm across Europe following the launch of a new task force.

The European Commission Alcohol and Health forum will meet this week with a brief to tackle the harm done by alcohol. Experts and stakeholders will discuss key issues, such as ill-health, injuries and crime, around the problem.

The forum has around 40 members including businesses, non-governmental organisations and health lobby group Eurocare while the World Health Organisation and EU member states will participate as observers at the meeting.

The forum forms the backbone of the Commission’s “EU Strategy to Support Member States in Reducing Alcohol Related Harm”.

Mariann Skar, secretary general of Eurocare, says: “The Forum will certainly test the alcohol industry’s ability to face their responsibilities and commit to actions aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.”